The Government's health watchdog is expected to issue early guidance today that could lead to a life-saving breast cancer drug treatment being made widely available on the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is likely to recommend the use of aromatase inhibitors, which include drugs like Femara, for treating early breast cancer in post-menopausal women immediately after surgery.

Sex attacker

Detectives were today investigating the possibility that an 89-year-old widow may have been murdered by a serial sex attacker. Catherine Grosstephan was found dead in her home in Theydon Bois, Essex, on Friday after neighbours became concerned.

Schools' scrap

Tony Blair's flagship education reforms reach their final stages in the Commons today with the Government braced for another backbench rebellion. The Prime Minister was forced to rely on Tory support earlier this year when 52 Labour MPs opposed the controversial Education and Inspections Bill.

Water inquiry

A public inquiry that could lead to Britain getting its first plant to turn salt water into drinking water opens today. London Mayor Ken Livingstone will be telling the inquiry into Thames Water's plans for a £200m desalination plant that it should not be built.

Spared death

Pakistan's president has granted an indefinite stay of execution for a British-Pakistani man who was set to hang next month for the killing of a taxi driver 18 years ago. Mirza Tahir Hussain, 35, was acquitted of murder by the high court, but an Islamic court imposed a death penalty.

Monkeys split

Arctic Monkeys were shocked today after bass player Andy Nicholson walked out as the band prepared for their tour of North America.